Exclusive – Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira hopes to use his ties with both Arsenal and Manchester City to gain an advantage in the pursuit of a number of potential goals.
Vieira, who replaced Roy Hodgson at Selhurst Park this summer, has been commissioned to lead a mass build-up at the Palace after no fewer than 12 senior players left after their contracts expired.
French star Michael Olise has already been lured from Reading, but those in charge at Palace know that many more gigs are needed. Football manager Dougie Freedman is working hard to identify new goals, and sources have confirmed for 90 minutes that Vieira is using his own connections to try to give Palace an advantage.
The Frenchman has reached out to former employers Arsenal and City to find out if any players are available for transfer or loan this summer, and these two sites have compiled lists of potential options.
It is believed that Arsenal are open to offers for both Calum Chambers and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, and the Gunners have not ruled out selling Joe Willock, although Mikel Arteta is keen to take a closer look at the midfielder after his excellent loan spell with Newcastle last season.
Maitland-Niles is available for transfer / Sebastian Frej / MB Media / Getty Images
Over at City, Dutch defender Philippe Sandler is available for transfer and Vieira can also continue to borrow for the highly ranked midfielder Claudio Gomes, the 20-year-old who appeared during City’s FA Cup run last season.
Premier League rules mean that clubs are limited to two loan signings in a season, and there is a good chance that Palace will fill their quota with a handful of Arsenal or City players.
Talks are also underway with former Swansea winger Andre Ayew, who could join Brother Jordan for the third time in his career following incantations in Wales and Marseille.
Palace are interested in Andre Ayew / Athena Pictures / Getty Images
Ayew is a free agent after leaving Swansea this summer and has made offers from all over Europe and in the Premier League, and it is understood that the 31-year-old is keen to move to London.
Palace have already managed two signings this summer, Olise and 22-year-old American midfielder Jacob Montes, and they are expected to add to the list in the near future.
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